Programme Specialist, SDG Localization & Catalytic Investments (Home-Based)

UNDP • New York, NY

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes (JPs) that provide the mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators (RCs). Strategic direction for the Fund is provided by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General as the chair of UN Sustainable Development Group. The Fund is managed by the Operational Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of UN entities, and with the support from the Secretariat of the Fund. The UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) hosts the Fund and provides for the alignment with the broader UN Development System reforms. The Administrative Agent of the Fund, in charge of financial management, is the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O). Official documents (e.g. Terms of Reference and Operational Guidance) of the Fund and information on funding can be found on the Gateway portal.
To advance the dual mandate of supercharging the UN Development System reform to be fit for purpose and, in turn, supporting the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Fund incentivizes coherent and coordinated join UN action, anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks at country level under the leadership of Resident Coordinator (RC). Serving as the catalytic funding to piece together emerging policy priorities and financing strategies, the Fund aims to galvanize the UN Country Teams around integrated policies and identify the fiscal space to overcome the political and financial hurdles to scale and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
The Joint SDG Fund adopts a portfolio approach focused on the key SDG transitions of digital, food systems, social protection & jobs, energy, education and climate action to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, the Secretariat team is expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Within this framework, the Programme Specialist will support the coordination of thematic priorities and SDG transitions and their coherent integration into the broader programmatic approach of the Fund whilst identifying and promoting policy innovation and systems change, focusing on the most vulnerable and improving the coherence of UN Country Teams. The programme specialist will also support the Fund’s learning and knowledge management processes, and liaise with other global, regional and country partners in strengthening alignment with human rights, gender equality and the broader Leave No One Behind principles.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy or related Environmental and/or Social Sciences is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the abovementioned fields combined with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 years (with a master's degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in portfolio or programme management within the UN system or other international organizations is required.
• Proven capacity in supporting design and implementation of UN joint programmes at country, regional and/or global level is required.
• Track record of partnerships with UN entities, donors and other development partners involved in integrated policy and SDG financing is required.
• Experience working with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its implementation at the local level is required.
• Experience in developing, maintaining, strengthening partnerships and coordinating networks of partners is required.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to synthesize information, including to monitor, extract, analyse and visualize data (using excel or other tools, as well as AI) to programmatic progress updates, briefs, and reports is required.
• Fluency in English is required.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of experience supporting SDG Localization efforts and programme formulation/implementation.
• Experience or familiarity with the UN System, particularly in the context of inter-agency collaboration.
• Demonstrated portfolio or programme management experiences in the context of developing countries or emerging.
• Fluency in Spanish is an asset.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and Quality Joint Programme Support: emphasis on SDG Localization and SDG Financing
• Lead coordination of partnerships, learning and knowledge management.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level